The MILO Summer Squad are touring the country again this summer, introducing cricket to the next generation of players and fans.
The MILO initiatives, now in their seventh season, have had a profound effect by giving thousands of youngsters the chance to develop their cricket skills, play the game and enter the two nationwide MILO competitions.
The MILO schemes also get parents and teachers involved, with close to 10,000 adults now trained as MILO Have-A-Go Cricket, MILO Kiwi Cricket or Getting Started Coaches.
This gives them a better understanding of the game and the competence and confidence to assist youngsters to have fun, learn new skills and be active.
The MILO Have-A-Go Cricket programme introduces boys and girls between five- and seven-years old to the game.
The programme, which costs just $20 per child, includes 12 sessions, with parents and teachers receive free training and support materials to coach at one of almost 200 centres nationwide.
MILO Kiwi Cricket is aimed at older children and continues the development of fundamental skills, but also provides children with the chance to play cricket.
Once again, parents and teachers are involved in overseeing the programme and are offered free instruction to become MILO Kiwi Cricket coaches.
Entry to the season-long scheme costs only $15, with more than 100 centres across the country.
The MILO Summer Squad are already visiting schools to promote the programmes and introduce kids to cricket.
They will also be encouraging primary and intermediate schools to enter their first XIs into the two national competitions – the MILO Cup for boys and MILO Shield for girls.
The MILO Summer Squad will distribute two CD-Roms on their tour - titled Cricket in the Classroom and More Cricket in the Classroom. These are available for teachers in the schools they visit.
Each user-friendly disc includes 30 cricket-based lessons, covering all areas of the curriculum.
And new this year, the New Zealand Cricket Skills Challenge will be available free for teachers at Year Seven and Eight level to assist their physical education programmes.
The New Zealand Cricket Skills Challenge provides children with the chance to learn, test their skills, and be recognised for their achievements.
Look out for the MILO Summer Squad at your local school this spring and summer.
For more details, contact your nearest Major Association or Chris Ferguson, New Zealand Cricket National Coaching & Development Assistant, at
